Checked in to a mostly empty 4 Pts. Destin-Fort Walton Beach tonight. I asked how many suites the property had, the clerk didn't know. I asked if any were available and she said yes. I asked to be upgraded to one and she said they did not honor platinum upgrades for members arriving at low rates like mine. I asked what my rate was and she said $129. I asked what the walk-up rate was and she said $130.

I was told they found an upgrade for me from a parking lot view to a pool view. My room actually looks out on the airconditioners of the pool house. I called the plat concierge line who called the hotel and was told that a manger was not on duty. I called Starwood corporate who called me back with a casefile number, pleased that they were upgrading me to a beachfront room. The Starwood corporate customer service member said that the manager would call me with my new room.

The manager called me to inform me that she could not, indeed give me an upgrade because it goes against this particular 4 Pts. policy. Since I am staying on "Such a cheap rate" the platinum upgrade does not apply. Yes there are suites. Yes there are beachfront rooms, but they are not for me, because I'm only a VIP-2. She explained to me that as a new platinum, I will find upgrades are not guaranteed. She congratulated me on having earned my platinum status and told me that I might have better luck at my next starwood stay. I informed her I have 50 stays and 67 nights so far this year. She said she didn't realize that and thought I must have just become platinum since the corporate customer service called her.

This is my first 3 night stay anywhere (including home) in 6 months. THIS IS THE WORST TREATMENT I'VE HAD IN MORE THAN 100 STAYS AS AN SPG PLATINUM.

When I mentioned my travel staff placed me at a Mariott property, the manager made a strong point: The Mariott property, while newer, does not have a view of the beach. She told me "Nothing is better than waking up to a view of the ocean in the morning." I reminded her I had not been upgraded and I had a view of the air conditioner. She told me those were premium rooms and she could not upgrade me to them. On the website, the upgrade costs $10 more. I asked the night clerk about an upgrade and they said there were plenty of rooms... did I want to switch now. I said heck yes. And he said... but this upgrade only applies to platinums who aren't staying at your rate!

I guess I've made my friends at this property.

PLATINUMS: AVOID THIS HOTEL AT ALL COSTS!

-- CaptainG